Japan continues to reign as one of the most popular countries for teaching English as a foreign language. Most TEFL teachers in Japan will find positions as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), working alongside local instructors at a public school in a smaller city or rural area. These placements offer a truly unique cultural experience—often you will find yourself the only non-native speaker in the town, providing a real opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture.

Many public schools offer subsidized housing for teachers, and with the low cost of living in more rural areas, English teachers can do quite well. TEFL positions can also be found in private schools across the country, including in many of the larger cities. These private schools often offer benefits such as airfare reimbursement, but the hiring environment tends to be more competitive and positions harder to come by. Your students in Japan will likely be school-aged learners in public schools and adults learning conversational English or professionals improving their business English in private schools.